International Coastal Cleanup: Rhode Island Style

Each year on the third Saturday in September, volunteers around the world show they care about their coasts by flocking to the beaches to clean up and document the trash they find. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island coordinates cleanup efforts for the Ocean State. The “Hold the Line!” theme for this year encourages anglers to properly dispose of used and snarled fishing line which can entangle wildlife.

Trash in the marine environment is unsightly, and it’s a threat to wildlife,” said Audubon’s Executive Director Lawrence Taft. “The International Coastal Cleanup gives Rhode Islanders a way to take action and raise awareness of this important issue in our state. The data we collect helps document the problem and provides background for policy decisions on issues such as beach smoking, recycling, and fisheries and wildlife management.”

If you would like to volunteer, please contact one of the local cleanup leaders listed below. For general questions, contact Audubon at 401-949-5454. This is a rain-or-shine event, but may be postponed in the event of a severe storm. Bring a pair of gloves and come prepared to make a difference!

LOCATIONS:

Barrington
Barrington Beach-West Side: Bill & Deb Dwyer at 245-2684 or wtd@cox.net. (NOTE: this cleanup will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

Block Island
Town Beach: Kim Gaffett at 466-2224 or kimg@riconnect.com

Prudence Island
Kristen Van Wagner at 683-1478 or kristin@nbnerr.org NOTE: This cleanup will be held on September 26th, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers coming over on the ferry will leave Bristol at 10 am and return at 4:30 pm. Pre-registration is important for this cleanup!

South Kingstown
Moonstone Beach (west): Tina Marasco at 783-2404 or marascals@cox.net
Town Beach: Ray Nickerson at 789-9331 x245 or rnickerson@southkingstownri.com
E. Matunuck State Beach: Leigh Stedman at 782-1612 or jri3841u@gmail.com

Tiverton
Grinnell’s Beach/Fogland Point: Diane Sunderland at 624-8207

Warwick
Apponaug Cove: Jennifer Pelopida at 527-4649 or pelopidaj@yahoo.com
Conimicut Point: Marcia PeÃ±a at 921-3267 or marcia42451@aol.com
George B. Salter Grove: REI Customer Service at 275-5250 or mbender@rei.com
Goddard Park: Ellen Forman at 334-2568 or mforman2@cox.net. NOTE: this cleanup will be held on September 26th.
Longmeadow: Joanna Toole at 739-0197 or toolejoanna@yahoo.com
Oakland Beach: Sandra Davidson at 965-8752 or sandra16@att.net
Warwick City Park: William Quirk at billjwq@verizon.net

The International Coastal Cleanup is a project of The Ocean Conservancy. The Rhode Island cleanup is organized by Audubon Society of Rhode Island and sponsored by ABC6, Dunkin’ Donuts, Fidelity Investments, Lowes, National Grid, RI Mobile Sportsfishermen, and Washington Trust.

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